Some of the biggest names in haute couture presented their highly-anticipated spring/summer creations in Paris on Monday, with Jean-Paul Gaultier, Valentino and Dior among the houses to show off their colourful and dramatic wares.
And the spectacle wasn't just about the clothing. Though John Galliano's Asian-inspired collection for Dior kicked off two hours late, the audience - which included Liz Hurley, rapper Eve and 8 Mile star Brittany Murphy - quickly forgot the delay as plate spinners and Chinese acrobats joined the models strutting down the catwalk.
The ever-stylish Joan Collins was among the front-row guests as Valentino's flirty designs paraded down the catwalk. The Italian designer went slim and sexy, with wool crepe day dresses, sexy scoop-front tops and tunics worn with silk cigarette trousers.
Jean-Paul Gaultier's colourful creations included a red gown emblazoned with a gold beaded spiderweb design and a yellow corseted confection which looked like a spring blossom turned upside down. As stars such as Bryan Adams and Trudie Styler looked on, supermodel Laetitia Casta closed the show with a wedding dress that would seem perfect for a Paris showgirl.
Meanwhile, Donatella Versace quietly presented her haute couture collection in the Versace flagship shop in Paris. Though the Italian fashion house passed on the usual spectacular fashion week runway show, there was certainly no lack of glamour in the ten striking gowns displayed on both mannequins and catwalk models as invited guests sipped champagne.
Though the platinum blonde designer was not on hand to comment on the array of tight-bodiced beaded frocks, her brother Santo offered: "This collection is like a dream."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
